Types of Specialized Schools in the Education System in Vietnam

What are types of specialized schools in Vietnam? 

Pursuant to Article 3 of the Regulation on the organization and operation of specialized upper secondary schools issued together with Circular 05/2023/TT-BGDDT, the specialized school system is regulated as follows:

Specialized School System

1. The specialized school system includes specialized schools under the provincial and municipal authorities (hereinafter referred to as provincial specialized schools) and specialized schools under higher education institutions.

2. Each province and central-affiliated city has at least one (1) specialized school.

Thus, the specialized school system consists of:

- Specialized schools under provincial and central-affiliated city authorities;

- Specialized schools under higher education institutions.

What are the objectives, tasks, and powers of specialized schools in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 2 of the Regulation on the organization and operation of specialized upper secondary schools issued together with Circular 05/2023/TT-BGDDT, the objectives, tasks, and powers of specialized schools are regulated as follows:

- Specialized schools are for students who achieve good results in training and studying, aiming to develop talents in certain subjects on the basis of ensuring comprehensive upper secondary school education, creating a source for talent training, and meeting the development requirements of the country.

- Specialized schools perform the tasks and powers of upper secondary schools as stipulated in the Charter of lower secondary schools, upper secondary schools, and multi-level schools, and have additional tasks and powers as follows:

+ Organize and implement the teaching plan of the advanced educational program prescribed by the Minister of Education and Training;

+ Research and effectively apply advanced educational programs and management, teaching, testing, and evaluation methods; promote the implementation of education in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics in general education;

+ Develop a team of managers, teachers, and staff sufficient in quantity and structure; proficient in expertise, profession; capable of scientific research; capable of using foreign languages in communication, teaching, and scientific research;

+ Coordinate with relevant units to organize training, fostering in expertise, profession, foreign languages, and informatics for managers, teachers, and staff to meet the objectives and tasks of specialized schools;

+ Develop cooperation activities with domestic and foreign educational and training institutions, scientific research institutions to enhance the quality of education;

+ Develop planning, development plans, and strengthen investment in facilities and teaching equipment in accordance with the law to meet the objectives and tasks of specialized schools;

+ Organize and manage boarding activities for students;

+ Build, manage, and effectively use information systems, databases to serve the management, education, and evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of the school's activities;

+ Monitor the studying and working process of former students;

+ In each school year, organize at least one (1) workshop on organizing and managing educational activities in the school with the participation of other lower and upper secondary schools to share solutions and results in performing the tasks and powers of specialized schools as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 2 of the Regulation on the organization and operation of specialized upper secondary schools issued together with Circular 05/2023/TT-BGDDT.

Which agency manages specialized schools in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 4 of the Regulation on the organization and operation of specialized upper secondary schools issued together with Circular 05/2023/TT-BGDDT, the managing agencies of specialized schools are regulated as follows:

Managing Agencies of Specialized Schools

1. Provincial specialized schools are managed by the Department of Education and Training.

2. Specialized schools under higher education institutions are managed by the higher education institutions according to regulations on organization, management staff, teachers, employees, facilities, finance, and enrollment, and specifically stipulated in the Regulation on the organization and operation of higher education institutions; under the management of the Department of Education and Training where the school is located regarding the implementation of programs, educational plans, graduation exams, and issuance of graduation certificates.

Thus, the managing agencies of specialized schools are as follows:

- For provincial specialized schools: managed by the Department of Education and Training.

- For specialized schools under higher education institutions: managed by the higher education institutions.

What incentive policies are there for managers, teachers, staff, and students of specialized schools in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 6 of the Regulation on the organization and operation of specialized upper secondary schools issued together with Circular 05/2023/TT-BGDDT, the incentive policies for managers, teachers, staff, and students are as follows:

- Managers, teachers, and staff of specialized schools enjoy preferential policies according to the regulations of the Government of Vietnam.

The provincial People's Committee (for provincial specialized schools), higher education institutions (for specialized schools under higher education institutions) shall, based on legal regulations, submit to competent authorities for decision or decide on additional preferential and reward policies for managers, teachers, and staff of specialized schools who achieve excellent results in their assigned tasks.

- Students of specialized schools who win prizes in competitions for selecting excellent students in cultural subjects; national and international science and technology competitions are considered for scholarships and enjoy reward policies according to regulations.

The provincial People's Committee (for provincial specialized schools), higher education institutions (for specialized schools under higher education institutions) decide on additional scholarship and reward policies for students who achieve excellent results in studying, training, and have achievements in competitions for selecting excellent students in cultural subjects; national and international science and technology competitions.

- The consideration for direct admission, preferential admission to domestic higher education institutions, and sending students abroad for training at higher education institutions is conducted according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.